Namchi town is flanked by ancient monasteries and has become a major tourist hotspot in the Northeast. It is an ideal place for spending the most treasured holidays in Sikkim and you can set out to tour the alluring landscapes and explore all the popular tourist attractions in Namchi. It offers you many engaging things to do apart from the enticing sightseeing trip. However, there are a plethora of options for shopping in Namchi. The stores sell amazing artsy stuff and different types of antique collectables in Namchi. There is an array of boutiques under the radar!

After you are done with sightseeing, and you find a few extra hours to spare, you should make sure to check out the sprawling markets in Namchi for valuable finds. The place is famous for souvenirs, jaw-dropping handcrafted items, Thangka paintings, handlooms, carved painted items, bamboo and cane items, stuffed dolls and many cult items shopping lovers love to splurge on!

Incredible Activities in Namchi for a Memorable Experience

1. Sikkim Handicraft Buy

Sikkim’s famous and beautiful art and handicrafts are the manifestations of creative minds. This state is not only famous for its scenic beauty but also for its radiant and impressive handicrafts. To preserve and promote the traditional art of Sikkim, the government has established several platforms in the form of Handloom institutes. The artists have perfected the art of wood carving. One can stumble upon the exquisite wood carvings in the temples and monasteries, which is a great testimony to their impeccable craftsmanship. One can also get wooden masks and sculptures in Namchi.

 2. Buying Thangka Paintings

Thangka is a part of Sikkimese Buddhism and depicts a deity, a mandala and a spiritually significant event from the Buddhist master’s life. These paintings are usually vertically oriented scrolls crafted on cotton or silk fabric. The prime subject of Thangka is ‘The Wheel of Life’, a visual representation of the art of enlightenment. At one point in time, these paintings were the only means of serving the noble purpose of spreading the teachings of Buddha. These paintings are very aesthetic, and they depict the culture of Namchi. The main characteristics of the paintings are cotton canvas and silk frames.

 3. Groove to the beats of the Folk dances of Namchi

Sikkim is culturally rich, and the dances of this state signify love, integrity and harmony. These dances are accompanied by traditional musical instruments, and the dancers carry traditional masks and bright costumes. Enchey Chaam is one of the most popular mask dances of Sikkim and is dedicated to religious celebrations. This dance is performed in the Gompa courtyard. Swords and colourful traditional jewellery are a very important part of this dance. Chi Rimu is a celebration of the uniqueness of Sikkim and it is performed by both the young and the old.

 4. Try archery in Namchi

Archery is one great adventurous activity in Namchi, and it is predominantly played in Sikkim; Bhutias and Lepchas love to play this sport, and it is a game entailing the use of bows and arrows made from bamboo. It is a sporting event for ten days in December and January at Namchi. Not only the natives but even the tourists have actively started participating in this sport. The main rule of this game is that the archers are supposed to shoot at a small wooden target placed at a distance of 130 m.

5. Immerse yourself in the festivals of Namchi

The two most predominant religions are Buddhism and Hinduism. The festivals are celebrated according to their respective calendars. Saga Dawa is a festival celebrated by the Mahayana Buddhists, commemorating all the significant events in the life of Buddha. This festival is celebrated by people on the full moon day of the 4th month of the Buddhist Lunar calendar. Drupka Teshi is another major festival, and it is celebrated on the day Buddha preached his first sermon of the four noble truths to his five disciples. An interesting attraction of this festival is the Yak race, which is celebrated in July/August.

 6. Trekking

If you are an adrenaline junkie, you can take up trekking activities in Sikkim. Trekking is one of the most exciting adventure sports in Namchi, apart from Mountain biking, Yak safari and mountaineering. You can trek through the dense forests and frosty waters in Namchi to enjoy nature at its best. Whilst embarking upon an adventure, you can also enjoy the surroundings of the routes dotted with the Alpine forest and beautiful Gompas. The altitude of most of the trek routes in Namchi is between 6000 and 14000 sq ft. Many people hire trekking and camping equipment from the tourism department and they enjoy the nature of the Namchi.

Opening and closing time: All day open

Explore time: 5,6 hours

7. Hog on the best delicacies in Namchi

If you are a foodie, you can hog on many items available in Namchi. Sikkim is a destination that is not only famous for its stunning natural beauty but also for its culinary delights. You can try out the restaurants, local cafes and street kiosks. The cuisine here has major influences from Tibet and Nepal. Most of the people in this region are rice eaters and apart from rice some of the major food items are stews, meat, vegetables, soup and dumplings. Momos and Thupkas are two main types of delicacies in this region.

Frequently Asked Questions?

 Conclusion

Apart from visiting the most prominent tourist places to visit in Namchi, you can try out many activities in Namchi such as indulging in a shopping spree, buying a souvenir, taking part in local dances, trickling your taste buds by succumbing yourself to the great food and many more things. You can buy a travel package for Namchi and customize the places according to your preference. For travelling with your family, you can opt for a family travel package.

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